Jackpollins

Roger Ebert, one of the most widely beloved film critics once had a quote about the infamous Larry Bishop gangster spoof Mad Dog Time. That quote went "''Mad Dog Time'' is the first movie I have seen that does not improve on the sight of a blank screen viewed for the same length of time." That's how I ultimately feel about The Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn Part 1. It is a terrible film that, despite its best efforts, turns into a big pile of nothingness. What did the filmmakers want to accomplish here? Well, there are a couple thing such as money, cabbage, and oh yeah, dough. This film was made on the assumption that millions of teenage girls are going to throw down their allowance to go see it. As I went to a public theater to see this and not an advanced screening, their assumptions was right. I was the only male in the theater. No boyfriends, husbands, males by themselves, ETC. May I also mention that there was a very limited range of females under 16 in the theater. Seriously, who thinks of this crap? This film can be summed up in a simple, short explanation-it's a soap opera made for young women instead of middle aged women. I'm not trying to sound sexist or derogatory but this is the way the world works..movies are made specifically for teenage girls to throw their allowance down. Unfortunately, this one, like most of them is petrifying to watch.

Jack & Jill is a film about nothing. It doesn't have a consistent plot. It is just an assortment of stupid jokes revolving around Adam Sandler getting annoyed with Adam Sandler in drag. They said the apocalypse was coming..and perhaps it is. Why do I say that? I kind of want you, the reader to watch Jack & Jill so you can see why I'm just rambling on and saying the apocalypse is coming. It is a film that has to be seen to be believed, and an unshakable experience. Neither of these things are meant in a good way. As someone who goes to a couple hundred films a year, it is, personally, the closest I have been to walking out of a theater in at least two years. Al Pacino, an Oscar winner and Michael Corleone is in this. Pacino is the best part of the film, and he's terrible in it for crying out loud. Pacino, one of the greatest actors of all time is in Jack & Jill. You thought De Niro in Little Fockers was bad? Wait until you see Pacino in this. I really wish I could like this film, or at least not consider it one of the worst films ever made. Sandler's actually a really funny guy when he wants to be. Don't believe me, watch Happy Gilmore. Sandler is also a pretty good dramatic actor. Don't believe me, watch Punch Drunk Love. With this in mind, this film involves Sandler screaming and talking in a weird lispy voice that's his interpretation of a woman. Jack & Jill is the worst film of 2011 so far. It is more dreadful than you could ever imagine. In other words, Jack & Jill doesn't go up a hill, but rather goes down one right when it starts.

Alexander Payne is a director who has done four very good films...About Schmidt, Sideways, Election, and the little known Citizen Ruth. Add The Descendants to that list. The Descendants is a film about a man named Matt King (George Clooney), a man living in Hawaii whose business happens to be very successful. After his wife, who he has been supposedly very distant with gets in a boating accident, Matt has to take care of his daughters. Thus begins yet another very realistic film from director Payne. The Descendants is touching and well acted, but rarely ever funny, and that's a good thing. The seriousness of this film is really what works. Sure, Sid, daughter Alexandria's friend has some very funny moments, but even he's a serious, complex character. Payne does a good job here of taking all the actors, veterans or newcomers, and getting them to shine. Also, as with his other four films, Payne shows a real life situation and shows us what happens in everyday life. Clooney is great here, tugging at our heartstrings and touching us without going over the top. Also, actors like Shailene Woodley and Nick Krause, who are not used to being the dramatic types are excellent here. All that's left to say is see The Descendants..it's not a perfect film, but it's a really good one.